Which place is cheaper, Darwin or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Darwin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Darwin? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Sandakan or Darwin?
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
Darwin
Darwin is a tropical city set against the Timor Sea in north central Australia. It is also the capital city of the Northern Territory. Despite being a relatively small city, Darwin is very diverse with residents from all over the world. The city itself has a very relaxed vibe with plenty to do. Visitors can enjoy everything from traditionally Asian style markets to culturally diverse events such as concerts, festivals or art shows.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Sandakan Prices
Malaysia PricesDarwin Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $81Darwin $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $81, while the average daily cost in Darwin is $139. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sandakan and Darwin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $23Darwin $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $46Darwin $124
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Darwin
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Darwin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sandakan Hotel Prices and Darwin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $37Darwin $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sandakan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sandakan:
- Private 1Way Transfer to/from Sandakan Airport, City or Sepilok: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Darwin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Darwin:
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Shuttle to Train Station$9.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darwin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Darwin:
- DRW Airport to Darwin City Centre Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin Airport (DRW): $87
- Private Transfer from Darwin Airport (DRW) to Darwin Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Darwin Cruise Port to Darwin city hotels: $87
- Darwin to Darwin Int Airport (DRW) - Departure Private Transfer: $101
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
- Darwin Int Airport (DRW) to Darwin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $202
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Darwin?
Prices for flights to both Darwin and Sandakan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySandakan $36Darwin $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
- Sandakan : Fireflies and Mangrove Cruise with Dinner: $193
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Darwin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Darwin.
- Sunset Harbour Cruise with Fish and Chips Dinner: $72
- Darwin Harbor Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $96
- Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise: $104
- Cape Adieu Sunset Cruise with 4-Course Dinner: $112
- Signature four course Sunset Dinner Cruise: $112
- Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine: $113
- Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise: $113
- Waterfront Seafood Dinner with Wine for Two: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $8.15Darwin $15
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $60
- Private Sandakan City Must See 6 Highlights Tour with Guide & Car: $63
- From 7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour: $75
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife and Dawn Cruises Tour in Sandakan: $83
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $88
- Sandakan Private City Tour Orangutan Sun Bears and Rainforest: $89
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $112
- Day Trip Sepilok Orang-utan And City Tour (Flight Excluded): $119
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $147
Tours and Activities in Darwin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Darwin are as follows:
- Aquascene Fish Feeding Experience: $11
- Explore Delightful Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Crocosaurus Cove General Admission Ticket: $26
- Adelaide River Queen Original Jumping Crocodile Cruise: $27
- Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $32
- Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $33
- 1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River: $37
- Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour: $40
- Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience: $40
- Discover Darwin Harbour: Darwin Harbour Afternoon Cruise: $43
- 1-Hour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $43
- Darwin Harbour Bombing of Darwin Cruise: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $7.47Darwin $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Darwin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Darwin from other travelers:
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Evening at a Bar$16
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Glass of Wine$4.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Darwin, we can see that Darwin is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sandakan is in Asia and Darwin is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Darwin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Darwin than you might in Sandakan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sandakan Expensive? and Is Darwin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Darwin?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Darwin. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Darwin, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Darwin?
Darwin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sandakan or Darwin in the Summer?
Both Darwin and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Darwin in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Darwin in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Darwin during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 173 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Darwin. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Darwinin January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Darwin 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Darwin in the Autumn?
Both Darwin and Sandakan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Darwin for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Darwin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Darwin averages at about 29°C (84°F)in April.
In Darwin, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Darwinin April. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 267 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Darwinin April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Darwin 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Darwin in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Darwin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Darwin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Darwinin July. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Darwin fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Darwin this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Darwin during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Darwin receives 312 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Darwinin July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Darwin 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Darwin in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Darwin. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Darwin this time of year.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Darwin in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Darwin fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Darwin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the spring, Sandakan often gets less sunshine than Darwinin October. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Darwin receives 291 hours of full sun.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Darwinin October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Darwin receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Darwin 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Darwin and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Darwin | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 342 mm (13.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.